Major roster news this morning: Four players have been cut, including first baseman Travis Lee and right-handers Tim Redding and Joel Hanrahan. Which, by extension, means that Dmitri Young will be the Nationals' Opening Day first baseman and either Jason Bergmann or Levale Speigner will be the No. 5 starter should Jason Simontacchi not be ready to return from a strained groin.

Lee, the veteran journeyman, was granted his unconditional release and may be contemplating retirement after hitting .267 with one homer and seven RBI in 11 games this spring. Young, 33, wound up winning the starting job at first base after getting into shape at minor-league camp and then hitting .333 with a homer and three RBI in his first seven games with the major-league club.

Redding came to camp as a possible frontrunner for the No. 2 spot in the rotation, but he struggled from the start and posted an 11.42 ERA in four spring outings. He was outrighted to Class AAA Columbus, meaning he's been taken off the Nationals' 40-man roster.

Hanrahan, who was optioned to Columbus, also struggled this spring, posting an 11.25 ERA in four appearances.

The Nationals announced one other move before today's game against the Braves. Infielder Joe Thurston, who hit .211 in 13 games, was re-assigned to minor-league camp.